The forest became deathly still.
Not a single leaf moved.
Not a single bird sang.
Aria’s heart pounded against her ribs.
“Mom?” The word escaped her lips before she could stop it.
Again, the voice drifted through the ancient trees.
“Aria…” It was soft.
Warm.
Filled with love she had never known.
Tears blurred her vision.
“I know that voice…” Without thinking, she broke into a run.
“Aria, wait!” Kael shouted.
But she was already disappearing between the towering trees.
The Moonblade glowed brighter with every step.
Her silver pendant pulsed against her chest, almost as if it were guiding her.
“Spread out!” Kael commanded.
“No one loses sight of her!” The Lycan warriors raced through the forest, their senses stretched to the limit.
Rowan caught up beside the king.
“This feels wrong.” Kael nodded.
“It is.” “That voice…” “It isn’t echoing.” “It’s leading.” His wolf growled inside him.
Trap.
“I know,” Kael whispered.
“But if it truly is connected to her mother…” “We have no choice.” Aria burst into a small clearing.
In its center stood a crystal-clear lake that reflected the sky like a mirror.
The mysterious voice stopped.
She looked around desperately.
“Mother?” Only silence answered.
Then…
The surface of the lake rippled.
A woman slowly appeared within the water.
She looked exactly as Aria had imagined.
Long silver hair.
Gentle silver eyes.
A smile filled with endless love.
Aria’s breath caught.
“No…” The woman reached toward her through the shimmering water.
“My little moon.” Tears streamed down Aria’s face.
“It’s really you.” “I’ve waited so long.” She stepped closer to the lake.
“I tried to find you.” “I never stopped.” The woman smiled sadly.
“I know.” “But you mustn’t come any closer.” Aria froze.
“Why?” “Because this isn’t me.” The image flickered.
The smile vanished.
“My memories remain…” “But my spirit does not.” Realization washed over Aria.
“This is magic.” “Yes.” “A message left for you.” The bushes exploded behind her.
Kael rushed into the clearing, sword already drawn.
“Aria!” He stopped when he saw the woman in the lake.
His eyes widened.
“The Memory Lake…” Rowan arrived seconds later.
“I thought it was only a legend.” The woman turned toward Kael.
“You have protected her well.” Kael bowed his head.
“It has been my greatest honor.” She smiled.
“I know who you are, Lycan King.” “And I know your heart.” Aria looked between them in confusion.
“You know him?” The woman nodded.
“I knew the day would come when someone worthy would find you.” She looked at Kael.
“I prayed it would be him.” Kael lowered his gaze, humbled by her words.
The water suddenly darkened.
The woman’s expression changed.
“There isn’t much time.” “The barrier between worlds is weakening.” Aria stepped closer.
“Tell me.” “Who is that man?” The woman’s face filled with sorrow.
“He calls himself Malakar now…” “But once…” “He was your father’s most trusted brother.” Silence crashed over the clearing.
Aria stared in disbelief.
“My…
uncle?” “He betrayed us.” “He desired the power of the Moon Throne.” “When your father refused to surrender it…” “He chose war.” Kael’s grip tightened on his sword.
“So the legends were true.” The woman nodded.
“But the greatest secret has yet to be revealed.” She looked directly into Aria’s eyes.
“Your father…” “He is alive.” Aria’s knees nearly gave way.
Alive.
Her father was alive.
Before she could ask another question— A deafening crack echoed through the clearing.
The lake split down the center.
Black smoke poured from the water.
A cold laugh echoed all around them.
“How touching.” The image of Aria’s mother flickered violently.
“No!” She reached toward Aria one last time.
“Find your father…” “He holds the only key…” “…to closing the Shadow Gate!” The lake exploded into thousands of shimmering fragments.
The vision vanished.
The clearing fell silent.
Then, from the darkness beyond the trees…
Slow, deliberate applause echoed.
Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
Malakar stepped into the moonlight, crimson eyes gleaming with amusement.
“I was wondering…” “How long it would take before you learned the truth.